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SamTrans > News Archive - 2002 > New SamTrans Articulated Buses Ready to Roll
New SamTrans Articulated Buses Ready to Roll
SamTrans is rolling out 55 new articulated buses. Articulated buses are 60 feet long,
20 feet longer than a standard bus and use an accordion-like component to facilitate
turning. These new buses, manufactured by North American Bus Industries, will
replace the existing disparate fleet of articulated buses that are on average 15
years old.
The new NABI buses use ultra low emissions fuel and offer passengers a smoother ride
with cleaner emissions. The new buses will operate mainly on Routes 390 and 391,
serving stops along El Camino Real.
SamTrans began receiving the new buses about six weeks ago. Upon arrival, the buses
go through a 30-day acceptance period, which includes intensive testing by mechanics
and operators. Once a bus passes inspection, it is put into revenue service, and one
of the teen-aged articulated buses is retired.
The first NABI articulated bus went into service Nov. 4, and the entire fleet will be
serving passengers by mid-January.
Because all of the buses in the new fleet are identical, maintenance and operator
training will be streamlined. Maintenance employees will be able to purchase
replacement parts in bulk and will service one type of articulated bus, rather than
multiple models, and bus operators will only need training on one type of articulated
bus, instead of three.
"A uniform fleet of articulated buses ultimately leads to improved reliability, a
more efficient operation and continued safety for our customers," said Chief
Operating Officer Chuck Harvey.
The new buses feature the latest technology including a global positioning unit and
advanced communication system that includes:
- District-wide radio system
- Computer aided dispatching
- Automatic passenger counters
- "Next-stop" announcements
- Improved head signs using a full Light Emitting Diode technology
The NABI articulated buses were purchased with federal funding (80 percent), local sales tax revenues (10 percent) and bridge tolls (10 percent).
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